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Pre-owned equipment: Old for new
Is your gym equipment looking tired or getting unreliable, but a refit beyond your budget? Perhaps you’re a PT hoping to open your own studio, but you’re held back by the cost? Talking to specialists that remanufacture gym equipment could be the answer. We report
MAKE THE MOST OF IT
Servicesport
“Many operators don’t have as much capital now, but are more savvy about getting a better deal,” explains Susie Marriott, commercial director at Servicesport. “They are trying to make the best of what they already have and are getting a better deal by shopping around.”
Over the last year, Servicesport has seen its manufacturing business double, with the vast majority – around 75 per cent of its clients – being public sector trusts and large private sector clubs.
Licensed to sell remanufactured Life Fitness equipment, most Servicesport pieces have 85 per cent new parts, and are rigorously tested in order to meet the CE certification. All equipment is sold with a warranty.
For an even more purse-friendly option, a grade B remanufacture with a reduced warranty is offered, where around 50 per cent of the equipment parts are replaced.
According to Marriott, over recent times the company has witnessed a growing demand for remanufacturing operators’ existing equipment.
Servicesport has also combined its estate management service with the remanufacturing business. This service monitors health and fitness clubs’ assets to identify which equipment is breaking down the most in order to inform decisions about where to spend capital.
“Servicesport is all about making the most of what you’ve got,” says Marriott. “Increasingly clubs are realising that they don’t compromise the member experience by investing in remanufactured equipment.”
HONEST ADVICE
Physique Sports
Business is booming for Burnley-based Physique Sports. The rise of budget gyms, combined with local authorities and leisure trusts being squeezed in times of austerity, has led to a greater appreciation of remanufactured equipment.
“This isn’t just second-hand kit that’s been given a wipe-over,” says Physique Sports MD Graham Bertrand. “All the equipment is shotblasted and painted in-house, comes with a two-year parts and labour warranty and can be branded to match the club. To the end user, it offers an experience that’s as good as any branded product, but the operator can save up to £150,000.”
Bertrand says clubs have become less snobbish about remanufactured kit and are now more educated about the quality. For some operators this could be the difference between starting a business or giving up on a dream. Physique also offers an equipment rental service – a useful resource for cost-conscious clubs or start-ups with a limited pot of cash.
Bertrand has also noticed a growing trend for a new type of club interested in his product: independent, elite training clubs that focus on expertise, knowledge and support to help members meet their goals. Although a similar concept to boutique clubs, these facilities aren’t upmarket so come with a much cheaper price tag for members. It isn’t a fluffy experience: members are expected to work hard and play by the rules. “If they don’t put dumbbells back in the rack they’ll be chucked out,” says Bertrand.
Physique’s approach involves consultation with the health club to establish the USP and define the customer journey.
“Lots of the clubs we speak to have a passion for fitness, but haven’t worked out their USP. We help them define their product and get the right equipment,” says Bertrand. “If they want 10 treadmills but I think five is enough, I’ll tell them,” he says.
This approach has led to excellent repeat business and many long-term clients: Physique has been supplying the country’s prisons for 17 years and One Life for 10 years.
EXPANDING THE PORTFOLIO
Pulse Resale
Pulse Resale offers a range of quality pre-owned, reasonably priced commercial fitness equipment, including group cycles, free weights, strength and cardiovascular kit.
But with the resale market growing, Pulse has responded to demand by adding more remanufactured products to its portfolio – including air conditioning units, entertainment systems and lockers – alongside its gym equipment.
Designed and built for longevity, all Pulse Resale equipment is assessed for performance and reliability. “Fitness kit has a natural lifecycle, but as we’re British-based with our own employed in-house service team, we can offer comprehensive service and warranty packages,” says Pulse’s national sales manager Richard Sheen. “We’re able to ensure the equipment is well maintained: many of our resale products even have a full service history.”
Sheen adds that Pulse is seeing a growing interest in pre-owned kit from personal trainers looking to open their own studios, as well as individuals equipping home gyms.
